SIGHTSEEING
Although most people do not take advantage of it, Boston has much to offer in the realm of sightseeing. Known throughout the world as a city rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, Boston combines the old and the new to create a genuinely unique and fascinating sightseeing experience. The city has vast resources to offer in culture and learning for all tastes, so get out and experience it! You may try to wing a tour of Boston on your own, but we suggest you take advantage of the information centers located throughout the city. Although you may feel that you know Boston well, or even if you have lived in the area your whole life, there is still something new to learn or experience on each visit to an information center. These centers provide written literature, pamphlets, maps, and pictures to assist you in your short or long visit. Many students go all four years without truly knowing or experiencing everything that Boston has to offer. Just one full day of sightseeing can be a good start. Enjoy!
BEST VIEW OF THE CITY
The Prudential Center Skywalk
800 Boylston St., Prudential Tower, Back Bay, 50th floor
(617) 859-0648
T: Copley or Auditorium.
Hours: Daily 10a.m.-10p.m.
The Prudential Center Skywalk is located in one of the highest buildings in Boston and New England, and for that reason, the sight is spectacular. The building not only offers the view, but it features other special displays on the City of Boston. You may visit this location in the day or the evening. Please be sure to pick a clear day for maximum viewing enjoyment. The Prudential Center Skywalk offers a 360 degree view of the whole city and has been newly renovated. Admission is $9.50 and $7.50 for students..
CRUISES
Boston Harbor Cruises
1 Long Wharf, Boston
(617) 227-4321
Open: May-Labor Day
Located at 1 Long Wharf (right on the waterfront), they offer sightseeing tours around Boston Harbor from April through September. There are day cruises, night cruises, as well as comedy and other specialty cruises. Call for more information. The view of Boston Harbor on a nighttime cruise is incredible. It is a must at least once during your four years.
INFORMATION CENTERS
Boston Common Information Kiosk
Situated on Tremont Street in Boston between West St. and Temple Pl.
T: Park St.
Hours: 9a.m.-5p.m.
Right on the Boston Common, this is where the famous Freedom Trail begins. It starts here and leads you through all of the historic sites in Boston. The Kiosk staff can provide you with all of the information you need on any current events scheduled.
Cambridge Office for Tourism
(617) 441-2884 & (800) 862-5678
Located in Harvard Square next to T.
T: Harvard Sq.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9a.m.-5p.m., Sat. 10a.m.-3p.m., Sun. 1p.m.-5p.m.
They provide information on lodging, entertainment, food, and transportation. A touch screen computer gives information and directions.
Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau
(617) 536-4100
Located in the Prudential Plaza West, Prudential Building on the Plaza Level.
T: Prudential.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30a.m.-5p.m.
TOURS
Beantown Trolley
(617) 720-6342
Hours: 9a.m.-4:30p.m.
Brush Hill Freedom Trail Shuttle. Travel the Freedom Trail aboard reproduction buses of the turn-of-the-century red trolley cars. This tour allows you to ride all day, or get on or off at the important landmarks whenever you want. You can see things at your own pace and rejoin the narrated tour on the trolley at any time. The complete tour lasts about 140 minutes, and it makes 20 stops at the major hotels, Faneuil Hall, and Copley Square. You also get a 1 hour cruise included in the tour. This is a great thing to do when your parents or other family members come up to Boston for the first time. You can even send them off on their own on this tour while you do something else. The cost for the tour is $29 for adults.
Duck Tours
800 Boylston St., Boston
(617) 723-DUCK
Located inside Prudential Ctr.
See the city in an exciting way in an amazing vehicle that rides on land and water. See the places that make Boston a world-class city. The Duck Tour is about 80 minutes and even takes you into the Charles River for an incredible view of Boston. The cost for tours are $25 for adults and $22 for students.
The Freedom Trail
15 State St., Boston
This is Boston’s famous walking tour. It covers five historical sites in downtown Boston. The tour is free and leaves every hour, weather permitting. The tour visits 5 locations: Old South Meeting House, Old State House, Faneuil Hall, Paul Revere’s House, and the Old North Church.
Old Town Trolley
(617) 269-7010
Orange and green replicas of the early street cars, this shuttle bus tours most of the interesting landmarks and activity centers in Boston. An hour and forty minute narrated tour travels by more than 100 sites, including those on Beacon Hill, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, the Waterfront, Charlestown, and many of the Freedom Trail sites. You may get on at 16 different locations, including Boylston and Charles Streets and the New England Aquarium. You can purchase tickets and get further information at the Boston Common Visitors Booth or the Faneuil Hall Information Booth. Old Town Trolley also provides tours of Cambridge, leaving from Harvard Square (at The Out of Town Newsstand) on the hour. This tour is also a good choice for parents or family to become acquainted with Boston and its history. The cost for tours is $29 and free for children ages 4-12. Tours begin daily at 9a.m. with the last tour finishing at 4p.m. on weekdays and 5p.m. on weekends. Each ticket is good for 2 consecutive days.